Theo Walcott: Grow up fast for the sake of Arsenal

There is always a syllogism when a youngster signs for Arsenal, it’s not because of the big pay packages that are offered at that young an age but the fact that Arsene Wenger believes in the youth and helps them prosper, gives them the opportunity at an unripe age when some manger would be filled with trepidation on such issue. So was the case when Theo Walcott was signed by Arsenal in the winters of 2006.

Teenage sensation Walcott

Theo Walcott, now 22 has been at arsenal for 5 long years now and has still got best years as a professional footballer to come. The roadrunner of a winger/striker signed from the second division side Southampton was seen as a great prospect for the future that time. The talent was evident, but there was a need to guide the talent in order to justify the claims. Arsenal as always grabbed the wonder kid under the noses of rivals Chelsea and Liverpool (who were Walcott’s boyhood club). The anticipation was great and thus all the comparisons. With some even describing him as the next Thierry Henry, which looked like a lot to ask from a teenager. But like Henry, Wenger played the young striker as a winger. At first his role was confined to small cameos. Slowly he started getting games under his belt, with his ability to find space down the flank he looked unstoppable but he was much more of an impact player rather than regular starter. Getting into the world cup 2006 squad was unexpected and bit too much for the teenager but nonetheless was educational for the winger. Fans were a bit unsure when he was given the jersey of the talismanic Theirry Henry after his departure to Barcelona. The new Arsenal number 14 fared well but was still developing and add to those injuries made it tough for him to grab a regular spot in the Arsenal team. What seemed like a role reversal, he was left out the 2010 world cup squad of England which as some may say galvanized him and made him stronger the season after, what proved to be his best season in an Arsenal shirt.

Walcott: filling up big shoes

But the question still remains about his potential being fulfilled. Perhaps this season will give some insights on that. Because more often than not fans do get on your back and once they pass their judgment it’s hard to alter it. This season, when Arsenal seem to be a bit lacking on the star power, fans look up to players who have been knocking at the door time and time again to make that shift and become the pulse of an resurgent team. Thus this seem like an ideal time for Walcott to flourish, though he has been scoring goals both in Europe as well as the Premier league this season he needs to carry on a good form throughout and not just in patches. His focus and mental preparation has been questioned because he seems mercurial, at times scoring with a Henry-esque side footed shot into the far corner and sometimes scuffing the easiest of chances. You never know which Walcott turns up on the day.

Watching him play against Swansea was the perfect example where he shot wildly with his left foot coming inside from the right and had frustration on his face which in midst everyone (even the cameramen) forgot that the ball was in play from which Arshavin ultimately scored. Blackburn was more of the same where in the dying minutes he had a one on one chance against the Blackburn goalkeeper he was unable to keep his composure for that and the goalkeeper pounced on the ball before him. He seems without any direction, reckless at times and sometimes a sorry figure amidst all. He has always been praised for his ability to take on players and beat them but what has been his constant Achilles heal is his ability to deliver at the moment when it matters. He is able to make space for himself but his final delivery has been inconsistent throughout. Being able to make that decisive choice is what separates him from being an impact player and a regular.

Walcott losing his way

Another point of concern is the fact that Walcott has been applied as a winger/ right attacker for majority of the games he has played for gunners. Some may say that he is not being utilized properly.As he himself described his wish to play more centrally i.e. as a striker and he has expressed it overtly, time and time again. Walcott emphasized this point once more in Arsenal’s official match day programme saying –

I had a meeting with the boss (Arsene Wenger) and explained my point of view,

He knew the conversation would come up and was very happy to talk about it. He says he’ll give me a chance there at the right time, and I’m dying for it to happen – but he knows exactly what he is doing and obviously I trust him.

I believe I can give so much more to the team playing up front, with the runs I can make off the ball, and I just love hitting the back of the net as well.”

At times I feel a bit, if not wasted, then in and out of games on the right. I just want it more and more, having scored a few last seasons – I’m not a winger and I think plenty of people know that. I’ve done OK out there but I’d love to play down the middle.

Arsene wenger has been coy on this issue though has maintained that the player will get his opportunity up front but has not been too confident with the ploy and rarely played him as a striker. Earlier there was a notion that Walcott had to beef up to play up front though he has strengthened on that aspect but he needs more technical perfection. This may be a reason for that as there are much more technically superior players available to play as a striker because with the kind of game that Arsenal plays it is very integral that the striker does a lot of work, is involved throughout in the build up and has great touch.

He may seem to be in limbo but it surely is in no ways an end to a prodigy like him. He has the time to grab the opportunity given to him and fulfill people’s expectation.